Tuesday, 20 January, 2004

We are now in a devotional journey focused around portions of Carl E. Braaten’s book “Justification.”



When our Reformation tradition speaks of “justification by grace alone,” it is encapsulating the entire biblical message of salvation history, beginning with the call of Abraham, including the election of Israel, the history of God with God’s covenant people, the inaugurating of the eschatological kingdom in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, and establishing the church as a communion of grace with a mission to the nations. “Justification by grace alone” is shorthand for the whole history and meaning of grace narrated by the biblical authors. We cannot understand the meaning of justification apart from the biblical concept of grace.



I often say to folks that as we work our way through the scriptures, we are hearing the same word over and over again…but we can never hear it enough because we…like the people of old…tend to reject it. We’d rather have God do it all…our way. And yet, what we receive from our God is another story of God being for us…even unto death…death on a cross. In that story…in that retelling…again and again, there is a power that pulls us into faith. The grace of God overwhelms us and drowns us in the waters of new life as that story of God’s grace from both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures burst forth to take hold of our hearts.



Connection: Listen for the gracious word that comes within the stories of the biblical message. If you take the opportunity to read from the scriptures today and if you are unable to hear that Word of Grace, ask for help…ask another person, “Do you hear any Grace in this story?!?” It may bring some insight. It will definitely bring some discussion and in that…whoa…watch how the grace of God is revealed.



Lord of the Story, you reign over our lives and you bring us into a relationship with those saints who have listened to your Word throughout the history of your beloved people. We give you thanks for those around and the many stories that are filled with a power for life that comes only through your love for us without condition. Amen.